Deporting Ex-Dictator’s Relatives Could Take Years, Experts Warn

Deposed Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s brother-in-law fled to Canada after the regime collapsed this month.

“Dictators welcome.” That’s the message Ottawa will be sending to the rest of the world unless the government can figure out a way to get Ben Ali's brother-in-law Belhassen Trabelsi out of the country, and fast. Trabelsi’s permanent residence status in Canada has reportedly been revoked, but he it’s believed he remains holed up with his family in a Montreal-area hotel and, given his vast resources, experts say he could appeal his deportation back to Tunisia almost indefinitely. Some people have successfully appealed their deportation for 20 years. Trabelsi might even have a strong refugee claim, considering his safety could be at risk if he returned to Tunisia. Stephen Harper said Thursday Ottawa is working with international allies to freeze Trabelsi’s assets.